▼ Author Community Vote 41 days ago David G. Savage Newt Gingrich says he'd defy Supreme Court rulings he opposed - — Newt Gingrich attends a screening of “The Gift of Life” at the historic Hoyt Sherman Place on Dec. 14, 2011 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Scott Olson / Getty Images) — Newt Gingrich says as president he would ignore Supreme Court decisions … 73 days ago David G. Savage U.S. Supreme Court restores, for the third time, death sentence ... - — The justices reverse an appeals court ruling, saying jurors wouldn't have been swayed by Fernando Belmontes' tough childhood. Belmontes beat a woman to death with a dumbbell to steal her stereo. 73 days ago David G. Savage For Obama judicial nominees, confirmation is slow process - — Senate Republicans have quietly used their minority power to block candidates to the lower federal courts. A showdown is set for Tuesday with Judge David Hamilton's nomination. — Reporting from Washington … 112 days ago David G. Savage Supreme Court debates legality of Mojave cross - — Justices take up the issue of whether the display of a cross in a national preserve is a violation of the 1st Amendment ban on establishment of religion. — Reporting from Washington — The Supreme Court debated today whether the government … 113 days ago David G. Savage Supreme Court weighs free speech vs. animal cruelty - — Justices ponder the possibility of a ‘Human Sacrifice Channel’ in a case involving a man who sold videos of pit bulls fighting. Some fear reviving a law against such films could lead to its misuse. — Reporting from Washington … 114 days ago David G. Savage Sotomayor takes vocal role on her first day - — The newest Supreme Court justice doesn't play the shy rookie, but peppers lawyers with questions, more even than Scalia and Ginsburg. The court takes a close look at the Miranda rule. — Reporting from Washington - By mid-morning … 195 days ago David G. Savage A mechanic in a black robe - — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is embraced by Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) after completing her testimony. One law professor said the hearing was “less than useless. If Judge Sotomayor won't meaningfully discuss any legal topics in front of the Senate, then what's the point?” 351 days ago David G. Savage Solicitor general nominee says 'enemy combatants' can be held without trial - — Elena Kagan tells a senator she agrees with Attorney General Holder that the U.S. is at war and therefore may detain suspected terrorists indefinitely. — Reporting from Washington — Harvard Law Dean Elena Kagan …